Published 19/08/2026 • Updated 19/08/2026 by Joanne Jones

15 Signs a Deceased Loved One Is Near You

By Joanne Jones | Founder of Trusted Psychics | Psychic Medium | Over 30 Years' Experience

When someone we love passes away, it’s natural to look around and see things that remind us of them and believe they are still with us in spirit.

These signs are normally very personal and easy to see. We may be looking at old photographs of happy times spent together or maybe drive past a place you both enjoyed together or even hear your song come on the radio.

But other sensations are more difficult to explain.

You have a dream about your loved one that feels exceptionally real. You catch your loved one’s favourite song playing just as you were thinking about them. Someone bumps into you as you’re suddenly hit with the smell of their perfume or aftershave.

Or maybe there’s no real sign at all. You feel an overwhelming sensation that they are with you.

After decades of working in the psychic industry and talking to others about mediumship, grief, and spiritual connection, I’ve heard stories similar to these on more occasions than I can count.

One thing I’ve learned is that every story is unique.

Another thing I know. We shouldn’t be quick to judge someone else’s experience by telling them definitively what it means.

Some will explain these moments from a spiritual perspective and believe that their loved one is trying to let them know they’re still around and watching over them. Others will think they are just coincidences, forgetful memories, or part of the grieving process.

These experiences cannot be proved to be messages from someone who you may have loved dearly and has died. If your loved one comes to mind out of nowhere and reminds you of something that brings you a smile during a tough time, it doesn’t make the moment any less meaningful.

15 Common Experiences

These are 15 common experiences people face that make them feel like a deceased loved one is near.

You Have the Most Realistic Dream About Them Ever

When you dream about someone who has passed away, your dreams can seem incredibly real, unlike a normal dream.

I’ve talked to people who felt like they sat next to their loved one and had a normal conversation or gave them a hug so real that they woke up feeling like they could still feel it happening.

Sometimes it’s not what happens in the dream that stands out to you. It’s just how real it felt compared to a normal dream.

They look healthy. They look familiar. Their personality is exactly how you remember it. Sometimes very little is said; people often say it’s an inner feeling.

Many people with deep spiritual beliefs describe these vivid dreams as a visitation dream from their loved one who has passed away, but there may be other explanations.

Grief can affect dreams. Strong emotions and memory can play a factor. You also cannot prove that someone who passed away actually came to your dream.

But that does not mean the dream wasn’t special and provided comfort and reassurance.

You Suddenly Notice Their Perfume or Aftershave

A scent can bring somebody flashing back to your mind instantaneously.

Maybe it’s your partner's favourite perfume or your dad’s aftershave. These scents are not limited to just perfumes; it may be your mum cooking a Sunday roast or the smell of burnt toast.

Nine times out of ten, there could be an explanation.

Your sister may just be wearing the same perfume as your partner, or someone, just by coincidence, was wearing the same aftershave as your dad always wore.

I always tell people to look for the logical explanation first. Ask yourself where the smell could have come from: another person, something worn or an often-used blanket could all be explanations.

If you are a spiritual person, then you will most likely believe that the loved one you have lost is trying to send a sign from the spiritual realm.

No matter what you believe, it’s easy to see how smelling someone close to your heart out of nowhere can make you emotional.

Their Favourite Song Plays at Exactly the Right Moment

You may start to think of a loved one who has passed when you hear a song that just reminds you of them. It may be a song that made you get up and dance to, or something you both enjoyed from a favourite artist. Or maybe just some music from a point in your lives which just felt relaxed and associated with happy memories. Often what makes these moments so special is when they occur.

You might have been thinking about that person, and suddenly their song comes on. It can feel especially special when this happens, which is often believed to be a sign from those we loved dearly who are no longer with us. This may also be just a coincidence, but it still feels very personal to you.

But just because an event could be explained by coincidence, that doesn’t mean it loses its magic when it happens to you.

Music can take you right back to them and often bring a tear to your eye, if only for a few minutes.

You Find a Feather Somewhere Unexpected

White feathers are some of the most recognisable symbols that many people associate with loved ones who have passed into spirit. Maybe seeing or finding a feather means reassurance, protection or feeling like a loved one is near to you.

You may come across one at a time when you needed to see it; maybe you were missing that person, thinking about them, or wanting to know they are okay.

If you believe in spirit sending signs, then yes, it very well could be. There’s never a way to know for certain if something like this is true…but that doesn’t mean you have to discredit what you feel.

When you find a white feather, sometimes it’s the timing that gives it meaning. Someone else may have seen that feather and walked right by without thinking twice, but for you it may immediately remind you of that special person.

If seeing that feather brought you comfort for a moment, caused you to smile or helped you feel connected to the loved one that you miss, then it’s fine to cherish that moment.

Oftentimes, the meaning isn’t in the actual feather. But what that moment means to you.

Robins, Butterflies, or Other Animals Keep Appearing

Robins are commonly associated with lost loved ones, especially in these parts of Britain. Butterflies, dragonflies, and many other birds can also have spiritual significance. It might even be something more specific to your loved one. Perhaps it’s an animal they loved. Maybe they used to mention it all the time. Or maybe it’s just something that reminds you of them.

When you lose someone, it can feel meaningful to suddenly see that creature everywhere.

Maybe a robin landing on your garden fence, or a butterfly appearing just as you think of someone special, is a sign from that person. We’ll never know definitively why a particular animal came into your life at that moment, and maybe there is a spiritual meaning. But that doesn’t mean you can’t believe an animal connection gave you comfort.

If seeing a robin reminds you of your dad, or spotting a butterfly suddenly makes you think of your grandma, allow yourself to enjoy that feeling of closeness.

Their Name Suddenly Seems to Be Everywhere

Many people who experience grief start to notice their loved one’s name popping up unexpectedly. Maybe you’ll see it on TV, read it online, or hear someone mention a person with that name. If you’ve recently been thinking about your loss, encountering their name multiple times in a row can feel eerie.

Occasionally, there’s a rational reason you keep seeing that name. If your loved one has a significant emotional attachment to their name, your brain will be conditioned to notice it more. But even if that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with letting yourself enjoy these moments if they happen to make you feel better.

Seeing your loved one’s name and smiling, feeling happy recalling a memory, or even just feeling warm and comforted for a moment. If you believe that passed loved ones send us signs, you may even interpret the coincidence as something more.

You Think About Them Seconds Before Something Happens

Sometimes you’ll find yourself thinking about someone you’ve lost, and only seconds later something will happen that reminds you of them. Maybe their favourite song comes on, you hear their name mentioned, or you run across something that reminds you of them unexpectedly. It’s often times like these when the timing seems too coincidental, and you ask yourself, “Why did that just happen when I was thinking about them?”

Maybe it really is a coincidence, but many people do believe that those who have passed can send us signs, so we can feel their presence. You’ll never know for sure one way or another, and you don’t have to pick sides. If it brings a smile to your face, helps you recall a favourite memory or simply comforts you when you’re feeling nostalgic for that person, it’s perfectly alright to treasure that moment.

You Feel Their Presence Without Seeing or Hearing Anything

Experiencing a sensation that a deceased loved one is near can be hard to describe. You may not see anything tangible or hear a voice or feel anything unusual going on around you. You just know that the person you love is nearby. I’ve heard countless people over the years say nearly the same thing: “I don’t know how to describe it. I just knew they were there.” It may occur to you at home, or somewhere you shared memories with that person, or out of the blue on an ordinary day.

There are many ways to interpret this knowing. Grief, memory, and your special connection with a person can create a feeling that they are present even after they have passed. If you are spiritual, you may feel that your loved one actually was present and you sensed them. We can’t know for sure which explanation is true. Either way, don’t be ashamed or scared of feeling their presence if it brings you comfort. Often just feeling like someone you love and miss is close to you is enough.

You Unexpectedly Find Something That Belonged to Them

Discovering that something you treasure is missing can be incredibly painful. However, finding an item that belongs to someone you miss when you weren’t expecting to can bring comfort at a time when you may be struggling with your loss.

The item might be something they left behind for you to discover. It may be a favourite book or a personal note; either way, discovering it at a time when you are missing that person can make an ordinary moment feel much more significant.

Something Electrical Behaves Strangely

Lights flickering when nobody’s around to blame, televisions and radios turning on and off and static noises at significant moments are all commonly reported ‘ghost signs’. If something random happens with your electrical goods at the exact moment you’re thinking of a loved one, it’s natural to consider whether they may have caused it.

That something electrical triggers when you’re thinking about them may provide extra significance for a spiritual person. It can be exciting to think that the person you miss and think about most of the time is right there with you, turning the radio on and off just to let you know they heard you.

If your light bulb turns on and off by itself, it’s more than likely that the bulb is faulty. Electronics break, batteries die, and tech can act strangely for a variety of reasons. Double-check there isn’t a logical reason for it first. If your TV frequently switches on by itself, there might be someone far closer than a spirit messing with the remote!

If everything checks out and there’s no obvious reason for it, then it’s easy to assume your loved one may be sending you a signal so you can feel their presence.

Their Advice Suddenly Comes Into Your Mind

You might be going through a difficult time and suddenly remember something they would have said. Maybe you need advice, and you can clearly hear their voice in your head telling you what you need to do. Those moments can make you feel they are right there with you again.

The people we love become ingrained in our being. Their words, mannerisms and little quirks become part of who we are. I’ve spoken to many who still catch themselves wondering what their father, mother or partner would say in any given situation decades after they’ve passed.

See it as proof of memory, a spiritual connection or simply years of emotional bonding. However, you view it, never underestimate the power of remembering the people that mattered enough to you to change who you are.

You Keep Seeing Their Birthday or Another Important Number

Numbers are everywhere, but after someone dies, you might suddenly notice numbers that remind you of them. Whether it’s their birthday, anniversary, an old house number or another number that makes you instantly think of them. Maybe you look at the clock and see their birthdate, or you notice the same number twice (or three times) in a short amount of time.

Spiritually inclined people may see repeat numbers as potential signs or synchronicities. However, there’s also a logical reason you may start seeing a number: when a number has meaning to us, we tend to notice and remember it more. Regardless of why it happens, if seeing that number reminds you of your loved one and brings you comfort for a moment, then go ahead and cherish it.

You Suddenly Feel Calm While Thinking About Them

Grief isn’t consistent. Sometimes you can be thinking or remembering someone you lost and suddenly feel overcome with sadness. Other times, that same memory can fill you with warmth, peace, or a sudden sense of reassurance that everything will be okay.

I’ve talked to people who said they randomly felt calm after thinking of someone they missed. They had been upset just minutes before, but their feelings shifted to feeling at ease while thinking of their loved one.

Spiritual people may see that feeling as confirmation that their loved one is at peace or still with them in some capacity. Others may attribute that calm feeling to their grief evolving and accepting that memories once filled with pain can now feel comforting too.

Somebody Mentions Them When You've Just Been Thinking About Them

You’re thinking about someone you lost, and just as you’re having that thought, someone else mentions them. A friend texts you out of the blue and talks about their day. Suddenly they mention that they kept thinking about your loved one too. Or maybe you were talking about something that reminds you of them and your spouse suddenly says their name.

Very often there is a logical explanation. Families and friends tend to spend a lot of time together, so you naturally have shared memories and experiences. With that being said, you and your loved ones likely share important dates and milestones too. It makes sense that you would think of that person around the same time. But if hearing your loved one’s name after thinking about them makes you feel closer to others who loved them too, then take comfort in knowing you all still share that person’s memory.

Several Coincidences Happen Close Together

It’s not always one strange experience that leaves you questioning. Sometimes a series of small, meaningful coincidences happen in a short time frame.

You might dream about your late partner, hear her favourite song on the radio, find an old photo of her around your house, and then have someone randomly mention her hours later. When a series of things happen that remind you of your loved one, it can leave you wondering if they’re trying to reach you.

No matter how many signs you experience in a row, there’s no way to confirm that coincidence is really your loved one reaching out to you from beyond. I’ve been studying mediumship for many years now, and my advice to those who have experienced multiple losses is this: Don’t pressure yourself to find an explanation. Reflect on what happened and why the timing felt significant to you. Allow yourself to attach your own meaning to the experience. If it allows you to feel close to your loved one or helps you find comfort, then your feelings are valid.

What More Than 30 Years Around Mediumship Has Taught Me About Signs

As someone who works in psychic reading services and speaks to hundreds of people about mediumship, grief and experiences every year, I’ve learned a few things. I know that the moments people remember aren’t always huge and shiny ones. They’re usually small. They’re personal. And sometimes they’re downright unexpected.

It can be a song that reminds you of your dad, how your loved one used to laugh or seeing something that instantly reminds you of someone you miss. Those might be everyday coincidences to someone else. And I’m happy to celebrate those occurrences with them. But when you’ve built up years of memories with that person, I understand how those moments can feel larger than life.

That’s part of the reason I think we have to find some middle ground in conversation about potential signs from our deceased loved ones. I don’t want anyone to feel like they *have* to attribute every butterfly, dream feather or blinking light to something deeper. I have always been interested in the meaning people find in these experiences, but overthinking every small coincidence can sometimes take away from what made the moment comforting in the first place.

On the flip side, I also don’t want anyone to dismiss something if it really did mean something to them. If a moment happened that brought back a favourite memory, made you feel their warmth or helped you feel close to somebody you love, then I think it’s perfectly all right to cherish that moment.

Joanne Jones

How Do You Know If a Deceased Loved One Is Near You?

There’s no checklist for knowing your loved one is close. You might have an intense dream. You might hear their favourite song play at a random moment or just feel like they’re with you. If you believe in signs from spirit, you may interpret these experiences as ways your loved one is trying to tell you they are close by.

But remember this too: you don’t have to see or feel any of these things. You don’t need feathers to show up. You don’t need to look everywhere and see it’s their birthday. Lights don’t need to flicker for your relationship with your loved one to have mattered. When people pass away, some will experience dozens of “signs,” while others won’t experience any that they take notice of. Not getting a sign does not mean you are being forgotten.

What If You Ask Your Loved One for a Sign?

Many people need reassurance after someone passes away, and some tell themselves their loved one will send them a sign. It can be as private as asking your loved one in your head or asking for something to happen that would only mean something to you and your loved one. If something does occur that you think might be significant, you might choose to believe that as a sign from them.

However, don’t try to force it or make it a test of some sort. Don’t tell yourself, “If they are okay, I need to see XYZ sign today.” You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you do. If nothing happens that seems like a sign, don’t use that as fuel to believe something is wrong. Your relationship with someone who passed isn’t quantified by how many signs you get from them.

When Experiences Lead People to Explore Mediumship

However, some will find that dream, coincidence or feeling too substantial to just ignore. I have talked to many people who became curious about having a medium reading because of experiences like these. They didn’t necessarily need proof that their loved one was okay. They wanted to know more about what they experienced and better understand what information they could receive from a psychic medium during a reading.

Not sure whether you need a psychic or a medium? Read our guide to Psychic vs Medium to understand the difference.

A reputable psychic medium will never guarantee your loved one will make contact during a reading. And they will not be able to tell you that your experience was definitely a sign from spirit. At the end of the day, psychic medium readings are about interpretation, and no one can prove or disprove what happens after death. If you’re interested in learning more about psychics and mediumship, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Medium Readings, where we cover everything you need to know about psychic medium readings.

Why Do People Choose to Have a Psychic Medium Reading?

There are many different reasons why people decide to have a psychic medium reading. Some people are initially drawn by curiosity after they've had a vivid dream, something they think was an unusual coincidence, or they’ve just been feeling like someone who passed was with them. Other people have always been fascinated with mediumship and want to experience it for themselves.

If you'd like to explore those reasons in more detail, read our guide: Why Do People Have Psychic Medium Readings? 10 Common Reasons.

Regardless of what brings you to mediumship, I believe it’s best to have an open mind, but also realistic expectations. A reading is not going to be proof that there is life after death just because you really want to. Deciding to contact a psychic medium is a personal decision, and you should never feel pressured to do so.

FAQs About Deceased Loved Ones and Signs

Can a Deceased Loved One Hear You When You Talk to Them?

We can’t know scientifically that somebody who has died can hear us talking. However, many people who are bereaved find that talking to someone who has died helps them. They may do this because it feels comforting or because it helps them to sort out their thoughts and feelings. Some people’s spiritual beliefs will help them to interpret this.

Why Do I Keep Thinking About Someone Who Died Years Ago?

Just because an important relationship ended years ago doesn’t mean that it’s suddenly erased from your mind. A location, anniversary, scent, family occasion or experience that seems completely unrelated can trigger memories of someone else many years or decades afterwards. Remembering someone again doesn’t mean you haven’t successfully “moved on” from your relationship.

Why Can I Suddenly Remember a Deceased Person's Voice so Clearly?

Memories we’ve stored for a long time can be triggered without warning. Hearing a phrase, looking through old photographs, having a conversation, or encountering a situation can suddenly recall someone’s voice, sayings, expressions, or mannerisms with crystal clear clarity even if you haven’t thought about them deliberately in a while.

Can Two Family Members Experience Something Connected to the Same Deceased Person?

Family members have reported thinking about, dreaming about or remembering the same deceased relative at around the same time. Relatives experiencing similar triggers, such as shared anniversaries, memories, and emotions, can contribute to this. Families who hold spiritual beliefs may attribute additional significance to these coincidences.

Why Do Memories of Someone Who Died Suddenly Come Back out of Nowhere?

Remembering someone doesn’t have to happen suddenly out of nowhere. The thing that triggered the memory doesn’t always register in our minds. Songs, smells, the weather, locations, certain words, phrases or even a certain time of year can lead you to think of someone you’ve lost.

Can Grief Make You Think You've Seen Someone Who Died?

Some people who are grieving report briefly thinking they see the person who died. For example, in a crowd or far away. Our brains are wonderfully good at picking out patterns and familiar objects. Familiar faces are familiar for a reason, because we generally have strong emotions connected to them. If experiences like these continue to cause you fear or affect your daily life, it may be worth talking to someone about them.

Why Haven't I Received a Sign From My Deceased Loved One?

Everyone doesn't always feel they receive something that they would call a sign. You may not have powerful dreams or feel their presence, and that is perfectly okay. You should not base the relationship you had with someone on what occurs after they pass away. Some people will have numerous reminders, and others will just hold that person close to them through memories, pictures, traditions, and lessons they learnt.

Why Do I Feel Guilty When I Stop Noticing Signs?

Just because you notice fewer signs doesn’t mean you care about that person any less. As you experience new things and change as life continues, you may simply be focusing on things you used to notice a lot. It doesn’t make your relationship any less important or mean that you’ve forgotten them.

Can You Miss Someone More Years After They Die?

Of course. Grief isn’t like a straight line getting smaller each day. Going to a wedding, having a new baby, reaching a family milestone, or having an illness can make not having your loved person around to share these things with you feel very conspicuous again, even if it has been a number of years since they died.

A Final Thought From Joanne

Over 30 years of experience working with psychics and mediums, I have found that maintaining an open mind can help when investigating potential signs from loved ones.

You should not have to believe that everything that happens is a sign. However, you also don’t have to write off an occurrence just because you can’t think of an explanation either.

No matter what you believe, these signs can give you moments where you remember a person that meant something to you. Whether it’s dreaming of someone who has passed vividly, finding an old photo that brings back memories, hearing a song that reminds you of them or suddenly recalling something they once told you – these moments can feel special because of who they involve.

About the Author: Joanne Jones | Founder of Trusted Psychics | Psychic Medium | 30+ Years' Experience

Joanne Jones founded Trusted Psychics and has over 30 years' experience in the psychic industry. Joanne has experience working one-on-one with psychic readers and talking with customers about their readings, mediumship and the events that lead many people to seek out psychics for spiritual advice.

Joanne believes that mediumship should be treated responsibly and with realistic expectations. Psychic mediums should never promise to connect to a specific deceased family member or friend, claim to be 100% accurate, use fear, or pressure anyone into buying more psychic readings or spiritual services.

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